Servick Appears Headed For Council Mayor Recommends City Native, Lawyer, To Fill Seat Vacated By Dan English

Attorney Susan K. Servick is expected to be appointed to the City Council this evening, making it the first time in history three women have served on the six-member body.

Mayor Al Hassell confirmed Monday that Servick is his recommendation to fill Dan English’s unfinished term. English was appointed Kootenai County Clerk in October.

“She is an extremely level-headed individual…she’s lived here all of her life,” Hassell said of Servick. He added that he’s received strong support from the community for her.

Servick has been practicing law in Coeur d’Alene for 10 years, including two years with the public defender’s office. She now does civil defense work for the firm of Ramsden & Lyons.

She sees growth, planning and financing city services as top issues.

Servick is a cousin to Lola Hagadone, who is married to tourism and publishing magnate Duane Hagadone. He is considered a key force in trying to revive hydroplane racing in the Lake City.

Hydroplane racing was ended in the late 1960s, after the city tired of rioting crowds.

Servick says she has no idea where Hagadone stands on the races. But “that’s not going to affect how I’m going to vote,” Servick said. “I’ve been a lawyer for 10 years - I make up my own mind.”

It’s not clear whether being related to Lola Hagadone creates a conflict of interest for Servick.

“I’ll have to talk to (city attorney) Jeff Jones,” she said.

Servick also has not made a decision about whether voters should have a direct say about the hydroplane races. That happened in 1985, and voters rejected the proposal by 3 to 1.

Servick is married to Chris Beck, local manager for the engineering firm of Howard Consultants. She has a stepdaughter.

In other business, the council is expected to:

Revise downtown parking regulations to allow businesses to use parking spaces as far as 400 feet away from their stores to meet city requirements. Currently, developers and merchants have to provide a certain number of off-street parking spots within 300 feet of their businesses or pay a hefty fee. That distance has caused problems for at least one building renovation plan.

Approve a zone change, from 12 units per acre to 17 units per acre, to allow expansion of the Howard Street Apartments.

Consider spending $75,000 for restrooms for Jenny Stokes Field. Adding the restrooms was a condition of a recent zoning change.

Approve a new contract with Diamond Parking Services for parking enforcement.

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